Barbra Streisand criticised for defending Michael Jackson, saying abuse 'didn't kill' his victims

Barbra Streisand has sparked outrage for comments she made about two men who have accused Michael Jackson of sexually assaulting them as children.

The legendary singer and actress said that Wade Robson and James Safechuck, whose allegations were made in the recent documentary Leaving Neverland, “were thrilled to be there” and that what allegedly happened to them “didn’t kill them."

Barbra Streisand at the Oscars.Credit: Invision

Her comments have drawn online backlash.

In a wide-ranging interview published on Friday by The Times in London, Streisand says she believes the accusations made by Wade Robson, 36, and James Safechuck, 40, in the recent HBO documentary, Leaving Neverland.

"Oh, absolutely. That was too painful," says Streisand, who told the paper she met Jackson a couple of times and turned down his request for a duet of "I Just Can't Stop Loving You." "He was very sweet, very childlike."

Asked about the abusive behaviour alleged in the documentary, Streisand says: "His sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has."

She also assesses how the long-term effects felt by Robson and Safechuck. "You can say 'molested', but those children, as you heard say, they were thrilled to be there. They both married and they both have children, so it didn't kill them."

Streisand says she has a combination of feelings about the situation. "I feel bad for the children. I feel bad for him. I blame, I guess, the parents, who would allow their children to sleep with him."

The superstar has since faced online backlash for her comments.

"Barbara Streisand's comments on Michael Jackson's accusers are ... outrageous and perplexing to say the very least," Alexander W. McCall tweeted.

Anthony King also tweeted criticism: "Shame on you @BarbraStreisand for disrespecting the victims of child rape. Low class, dismissive and a shocking trivialisation. To speak up for a child abuser... I expect it from the deranged MJ fans but not from you, who should know better."

USA Today